West Indies v New Zealand 'A', Day 4 of 4

New Zealand "A", who have taken this four day game with the West Indies as seriously as playing a Test match, had a very difficult task on their hands. After making 193 in their 1st innings, they had been set a winning target of 421 from a minimum of 96 overs.

They finished up at 206-6, thus effecting an honorable draw, with left-handed opener Mark Richardson being the sixth and final wicket to fall, for a well-made 74, made in over four and a half hours of batting, and including ten fours. He was caught by substitute fielder Sherwin Campbell at slip from the gentle leg-spin of Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Not out at the close, with about 15 overs still to be bowled in the enveloping gloom, were Scott Styris on 31 not out and wicket-keeper Martyn Croy on 18 not out.

After making 232 in their 1st innings, the West Indies declared their 2nd innings closed at the overnight 381-7. That included 130 by opener Adrian Griffith, his first century since December last year, and half centuries for Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds and Ramnaresh Sarwan, very good batting practice for the 2nd Test which starts on Thursday next. All-rounder Glen Sulzberger had 4-102 with his off-spin.

First to go for the New Zealanders in their 2nd innings was James Marshall, who was easily out, LBW to Reon King, for 04, in King's very first over, the batsman totally beaten for pace. It was Marshall's first runs of their tour; New Zealand "A" 4-1. In the 3rd over, King struck again, having Michael Papps well caught by wicket-keeper Wayne Phillip for no score; New Zealand "A" 8-2.

The New Zealanders rallied somewhat for their 3rd wicket, as Sulzberger and Richardson put on 60 for the 3rd wicket before left-handed Sulzberger played lazily to a Jimmy Adams leg-break, an off-break to Sulzberger, the resulting return catch easily taken. Sulzberger out for 32, New Zealand "A" 68-3.

Lunch was taken with New Zealand "A" on 69-3.

Jacob Oram also became a good ally to Richardson as they carried the score to 111 before the 4th wicket fell. Oram misread a Mohendra Nagamootoo top spinner, and was plumb LBW for 20.

Drama followed soon afterwards.

Jarrod Englefield called for a run, and advanced down the pitch. His partner, Mark Richardson shouted in the negative. Englefield dived for his crease, but did not beat the throw from Nagamootoo at short backward square leg. Englefield run out for 5, New Zealand "A" 130-5.

On his way to the pavilion, Englefield threw his bat at least twenty metres in front of him, in true disgust and anger at being run out.

The West Indies took the 2nd new ball but neither Reon King nor Nixon McLean could get any further break-throughs.

Fast bowler Reon King finished with 2-39 from 14 overs, while leg-spinners, of varying ilk, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Jimmy Adams and Ramnaresh Sarwan each had one.

Meanwhile, while they were looking for another moral-boosting victory before the 2nd Test, the West Indies have some injury problems.

Franklyn Rose, a very important part of the fast bowling battery, is suffering from a slight hamstring strain, and, as a precaution, did not take the field on the 4th day.

Chris Gayle, the opening batsman, after diving to stop a four at mid-wicket, also left the field complaining of chest pains after falling on the ball. He went to hospital for precautionary tests but was found to have only bruising.

Also, the West Indies team for the one-day game against Hampshire will be as follows: Jimmy Adams, Sherwin Campbell, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Adrian Griffith, Ridley Jacobs, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Mahendra Nagamootoo and Corey Collymore.